By Marc Dellière, Medical Consultant & Trainer – Specialist in Stress, Prevention & Integrative Health
GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) is an intestinal hormone secreted immediately after a meal by the L-cells of the small intestine. Its role? To orchestrate communication between the intestine, pancreas, and brain in order to regulate our metabolism.
A multitasking hormone
In the brain, GLP-1 acts on the satiety centers, naturally reducing the feeling of hunger.
In the stomach, it slows gastric emptying, prolonging satiety.
In the pancreas, it stimulates insulin secretion when blood sugar levels rise, while inhibiting glucagon secretion.
The result: more stable blood sugar levels, fewer postprandial spikes, and better appetite regulation.
From physiology to therapy
It is this triple action—on satiety, insulin, and digestion—that explains the success of GLP-1 mimicking drugs in type 2 diabetes and obesity (exenatide, liraglutide, semaglutide, etc.).
But their success has above all revealed a fundamental truth: our intestine is a true endocrine organ, capable of communicating with our brain to regulate both our food intake and our metabolic balance.
What does the future hold? Towards natural GLP-1 stimulation
Numerous research projects are currently exploring non-pharmacological ways of activating the GLP-1 pathway and reducing postprandial glycemic load.
- Smart eating
Certain fermentable fibers and hydrolyzed proteins (from milk or soy) promote the release of GLP-1 by stimulating intestinal L cells.
- Polyphenols (berries, green tea, cocoa) and short-chain fatty acids produced by the microbiota (butyrate, propionate) also reinforce this signaling.
- The role of the microbiota
A balanced microbiota—rich in Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii—improves insulin sensitivity and GLP-1 response. Conversely, stress and dysbiosis reduce this metabolic loop.
- Pep2Dia® : a bioactive peptide on the same pathway
Among these nutritional approaches, Pep2Dia® (Ingredia Health Research) is particularly interesting. Derived from a hydrolyzed milk protein, this bioactive peptide inhibits α-glucosidase, slowing down the release of glucose after meals.
As a result, postprandial glycemic peaks are attenuated, reducing metabolic stress. In some preclinical models, this effect is associated with a more favorable GLP-1 response, although the precise mechanisms remain to be elucidated (Tenenbaum et al., 2023).
In summary
GLP-1 is much more than a hormone: it is the symbol of a constant dialogue between the gut and the brain. And tomorrow, metabolic prevention could be based on smart nutritional solutions capable of naturally amplifying this physiological pathway.
Learn more about Pep2Dia for glucose management!
Sources:
✍️ Tenenbaum, M., Beaulieu, L., Dupont, D., et al. (2023). Comparative effects of whey proteins and their hydrolysates on GLP-1 secretion and glucose regulation: insights into bioactive peptide mechanisms. Food & Function, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Publishing.Disponible en ligne : https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2023/fo/d3fo00467h
✍️ Boulier, A., Auger, J., Romelard, A., et al. (2021). Dose-Effect of a 6-week treatment with PEP2DIA® on sucrose tolerance in Goto-Kakizaki GK rats. Nutrients, [en ligne] disponible sur : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8181302/ (Étude préclinique montrant la réduction des pics glycémiques, l’inhibition de l’α-glucosidase et l’augmentation du GLP-1 plasmatique chez le rat diabétique.)
✍️ Miguéns-Gómez, A., Casanova-Martí, A., et al. (2021). Glucagon-like peptide-1 regulation by food proteins and protein hydrolysates. Nutrition Research Reviews, Cambridge University Press. [En ligne] disponible sur : https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/nutrition-research-reviews/article/glucagonlike-peptide1-regulation-by-food-proteins-and-protein-hydrolysates/00330E164AA32CDB8B4877401F1B27CE (Revue complète des effets des protéines et hydrolysats sur la sécrétion de GLP-1 et les mécanismes impliqués.)
✍️ Jahandideh, F., Ruiz-Carrascal, J., Wu, G. (2022). A comprehensive review on the glucoregulatory properties of protein hydrolysates and bioactive peptides. Nutrients, [en ligne] disponible sur : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9039931/ (Analyse des effets des peptides bioactifs sur la glycémie, l’insuline et les incrétines, dont le GLP-1.)
✍️ Hira, T., Matsukawa, N., Taira, S., et al. (2021). Improvement of glucose tolerance by food factors: focus on food-derived peptides. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(12): 6623. [En ligne] disponible sur : https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/12/6623 (Synthèse des effets des hydrolysats protéiques sur la tolérance au glucose et la sécrétion de GLP-1.)
✍️ Huber, H., et al. (2024). Dietary impact on fasting and stimulated GLP-1 secretion in humans with different metabolic conditions. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, [en ligne] disponible sur : https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(24)00005-4/fulltext (Revue actualisée sur l’influence du régime alimentaire sur la sécrétion du GLP-1 selon le statut métabolique.)